In a guarded response to execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, India on Saturday said it was "disappointed" over the "unfortunate" event but political parties and Muslim leaders strongly denounced the "illegal" hanging of a friend of this country.
The government, which had earlier opposed Hussain's execution, hoped it will not affect the process of reconciliation and restoration of peace in the trouble-torn country.
"We had already expressed the hope that the execution would not be carried out. We are disappointed that it has been (carried out)," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement.
"We hope that the unfortunate event will not affect the process of reconciliation, restoration of peace and normalcy in Iraq," he said.
New Delhi had on Monday expressed opposition to Hussein's execution and cautioned that no steps should be taken which could delay restoration of peace in the troubled country.
"It is our hope that the sentence will not be carried out and the former President's life would be spared," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna had said after an Iraqi appeals court upheld the death sentence to Hussain.
New Delhi had hoped that "no steps" would be taken which "might obstruct the process of reconciliation and delay restoration of peace in Iraq."
Political parties, including the ruling Congress, reacted strongly to the hanging of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, terming it as "judicial assault" and "barbaric" development that will cause "more serious and bigger problem" in that country. Congress said Hussein's hanging does "not carry any credibility" as there were "clear procedural deficiencies in the trial process" besides the "undue haste" in carrying out the death sentence.
"They validate our previously expressed apprehensions regarding ad-hoc victors' justice and therefore, we condemn it," Congress chief spokesman Janardan Dwivedi said shortly after Hussein was hanged in Iraq.
"Nevertheless, we hope that this unfortunate event will not stand in the way of the process of restoring normalcy and reconciliation in Iraq," he added.
The government's ally CPI(M) saw the hanging as an "illegal and criminal act" of "an imperialist occupying power" which has "no right to violate national sovereignty and dispense justice on those whom they have illegally overthrown."
Foreseeing increased hatred for the US after the hanging, the Left party, in a statement, asked the government to "realise that its strategic alliance with the Bush administration, which is notorious for its imperial aggrandisement, will harm India's interests."
"This urgency in executing Saddam is very suspect," CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu said added that his party feared that it would have an adverse impact not only in Iraq but also in other parts of the world.
Terming the execution as "barbaric", CPI National Secretary D Raja said, "trial was a farce and the verdict to hang Saddam a judicial assault as the country was on under US-British the occupation."
He said even the UN failed to intervene to stop the hanging. Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the execution was not the solution to the problem in Iraq and expressed fear that it "will be the beginning of a bigger and "more serious and bigger problem" in that country.
He said the development showed those holding powers in Iraq now have failed to win over the hearts and minds of ordinary citizens.
Former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said tension in West Asia would increase with the execution. "With this, the deterrence will increase, tension will increase. It will have a very adverse impact on the region for decades to come," he said.
Condemning the hanging, Muslim leaders said it will affect peace in the world. Describing as "highly shocking" the way Hussein was executed, All India Personal Law Board member Kamal Farooqi said "it will add to the problems. Peace will be disturbed across the world."
Attacking US President George W Bush, he said "I think it is designed by Bush who is not loosing any opportunity to hurt the Muslim sentiments.
"It reinforces our view that it is America which is in fact trying to harm the world peace," he said.
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